Media law expert says ABS-CBN shutdown will be 'a dark day for country'

MANILA - A media law expert on Tuesday urged the Supreme Court to act judiciously on the quo warranto petition seeking to void ABS-CBN's franchise, saying the network's shutdown would be "a very dark day" for the country.

On ANC's Headstart, lawyer Marichu Lambino, an expert on media law and ethics at the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication, stressed that the right to a free press is vital to the nation.

"We hope that the Supreme Court acts judiciously and follows all the precedents on whether or not it can repeal a legislative franchise, or whether or not it should exercise the administrative regulation reposed upon the National Telecommunications Commission," said Lambino.


"The nation will not survive a single day without a free and independent press," she said.

On Monday, Solicitor General Jose Calida filed a quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN Corp and ABS-CBN Convergence, citing supposed "abuses" in their franchises. 

"The filing of the quo warranto was resorted to because it can be fast, it can be granted in a quick manner, or it can be granted in a judicious manner depending on the Supreme Court," said Lambino.

Lambino believes it is highly probable that Congress would not act on the network's franchise issue because they are going on recess on March 11.

ABS-CBN Corp's franchise is due to expire by the end of March, while its subsidiary, which runs movie channel Kapamilya Box Office, will have its franchise lapse by June 30, 2022. 

Several bills are pending in Congress for the renewal of the ABS-CBN franchise, but no panel hearings have been set. President Rodrigo Duterte has several times expressed his opposition to allowing the network to continue airing. 

"I think it's very frightening when that day comes when we will just see a no signal. It would just be a very dark day for this country when that happens," she said.

She added: "We need ABS-CBN to be there when we are all sleeping and your reporters are awake watching the world for us, watching if there are super typhoons, if there are disasters, if the world is going to crack open. We need ABS-CBN there."

House Deputy Speaker Johnny Pimentel earlier cited 2 different legal experts' views on whether or not ABS-CBN could still air its programs if its franchise is not renewed.

"Based on experience, there have been some franchisees that have been able to operate in spite of the expiration of their franchise and these are small telcos, local telcos, small radio station," Pimentel said.

But Pimentel stressed that ABS-CBN's case is different. 

"We know very well that the President has been very vocal, has made some pronouncements that he does not want ABS-CBN to be renewed," he said.

He said the network couldn’t do anything if the NTC orders it to stop airing its programs.

Lambino added that based on practice, the NTC grants a grace period.

"But if there are orders from higher ups, we might see darkness on March 31," she said.

Malacañang on Monday said the President's verbal attacks against ABS-CBN Corp. is not related to the filing of the quo warranto petition against the network.

But Lambino believes otherwise.

"The pronouncement of the president is policy, so it’s going to be followed by government officials," Lambino said.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

PH can learn from Singapore's SMEs structures, says expert

MANILA - The ease of doing business remains a huge challenge for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to thrive in the Philippines, an expert pointed out on Thursday.

Scott Anthony, managing partner of consulting firm Innosight, said the government's regulatory issues and shortfall in public infrastructure make it difficult for business start-ups to succeed despite economic growth in country.

"There's a huge amount of potential here. What holds you back? Infrastructure very clearly is an issue. Regulatory barriers and red tape are as well," Anthony said in an interview with Karen Davila on ANC's Headstart.

Having worked for a number of companies globally, Anthony said the Philippines can learn from Singapore, where "there are a lot but very transparent rules and world-class infrastructure" which aid SMEs to flourish.

He said the Philippines and Singapore have a very similar context where small businesses serve as the backbone of the economy, yet the latter was able to facilitate it more by providing ample support for entrepreneurs.

"In Singapore, they create a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem which didn't exist ten years ago," he said.

"The easier you make it on business, the easier it is for businesses can grow and expand," he added.

Anthony said the Philippine government should provide continuous training and accessible grants to support SMEs, enabling them to drive creativity and innovation which are in line of the country's hosting of the APEC Summit.

As innovation is another buzzword in empowering small businesses, Anthony said the government should also help entrepreneurs realize their potential through creativity and determination.

"A mistake that people make is they think innovation is magical, it's mysterious, it's a black art. Either you have the gene or you don't have the gene. That's not true," he said.

"Innovation is a discipline that anybody can learn with conscious practice," Anthony added.

He also said aside from the government, people should also take advantage of the abundant information from various sources, educating themselves on how to efficiently deliver their ideas to succeed in their respective lines of business.

Despite the hurdles facing SMEs in the country, Anthony expressed confidence in Filipinos' ability to foster growth among struggling entrepreneurs with the government's drive for reforms.

“The most important thing is to keep doing what you’re doing. I think continuing to push reform, to continue the fight against corruption, to continue to boost infrastructure investment, that to me is the most critical thing that I’ll be watching," he said.

"The Philippines, I’m hopeful that this time it’s gonna be different and we’re gonna continue to see the great progress we’ve seen over the last few years,” Anthony added.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Motivation to get fit: Exercise can be 'holy'

MANILA – Do you need a reason to start exercising this 2015? Here’s one: it can be a “holy” activity.

Motivational speaker and best-selling author Bo Sanchez, also known as the “Preacher in Blue Jeans,” made the statement during his interview on the ANC program “Headstart” on Friday.

He said that exercise as well as a proper diet can be “holy” because being strong and healthy is important in fulfilling a person’s mission to love as a son or daughter of God.

“Yes, because love requires it,” said Sanchez when asked by “Headstart” host Karen Davila if exercise and eating right can be considered holy. “Whatever love requires, that is what you do. What makes something holy? It’s love.”

“How can you love others if you’re sick? How can you love others until 60, 70, or 90 years old? You want to serve others for the rest of your life, you have to be healthy and strong,” he added. “So walk, eat right and exercise. Think right. Do what love requires.”

Referring to the body as “the remote control of your emotional life,” Sanchez noted that a person’s actions greatly affect his or her emotional state.

“Many people say, ‘I can’t control my anger, I can’t control my laziness, I can’t control my fear. What should I do?’ One would be controlling one’s thoughts, the other is controlling the body.

“When you can control your body, you can control your emotions. Sooner or later, you actually feel great,” he said.

Reacting to people who tend to say that they do not have enough time to exercise, Sanchez said the key is to know one’s priorities.

“Whatever is important to you, you will make time. A lot of people waste a lot of time on things that they do habitually. You have to make a decision: ‘What is the most important [thing] to me that I’ll give time [for it]?’ If exercise is important to you, then you’ll do it,” he said.

Sanchez said people can use this motivation to save money and spend more time with their famiy.

“Be rich so you can give and be generous,” he said, adding, “Your mission is not just connected to your work, but also to your family, your relationships, recreation, your health, food and exercise. All of those have to be connected with your mission.”

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Is Daniel the Robin Padilla of this generation?

MANILA -- For host-actress Mariel Rodriguez, her nephew, teen star Daniel Padilla, is the Robin Padilla of this generation.

"I think it's the charisma that they have. 'Yun ang namana niya, 'yun ang Padilla sa kanya. Kasi when I look at him ang kamukha niya talaga si Karla Estrada. Pero ang dating niya yun ang Padilla," Rodriguez, who is married to Robin, said in an interview on ANC's "Headstart" on Thursday.

"'Yung charisma, the Padillas really have that. So si Daniel, lucky enough na gising na gising siya nung nag-shower ng Padilla charm," she added.

Padilla is currently promoting the movie "Sa Ngalan ng Ama, Ina at mga Anak," which stars both Robin and Daniel Padilla.

In the movie, Robin takes the backseat for his nephew, who stars in the ABS-CBN hit series "Got To Believe."

"Actually si Robin he's always like that -- para sa mga bata ito, ibigay niyo ang magagandang eksena, sa mga bata na 'yan," Rodriguez said.

"Sa Ngalan ng Ama, Ina at mga Anak" will hit theaters on January 29.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com